"Measuring Operational vs. Organizational Stress Among Rural Law Enforc" by Michael Stephen Scotto

Date of Conferral

1-28-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Denise Horton

Abstract

New research on rural law enforcement stress levels reveals concerning implications for police reform and community safety, particularly in western Colorado where officers face unique challenges. This quantitative study examined age group differences in operational and organizational stress among rural law enforcement officers using one-way ANOVAs with post-hoc Tukey's HSD tests. The study of 191 rural officers found significant differences across age groups for both operational stress (F(2, 188) = 4.08, p = .018, η2 = .042) and organizational stress (F(2, 188) = 4.15, p = .017, η2 = .043), with officers aged 24-27 experiencing the highest stress levels. Organizational stress remained elevated across all age groups, suggesting that current support systems and resources are inadequate for rural policing needs. Using the job demands-resources model and Police Stress Questionnaire, the findings highlight a critical need to reshape rural law enforcement policies, with potential implications for recruitment, retention, and the overall effectiveness of rural police forces. The data points to the necessity of developing targeted interventions that account for both career stage and the distinct challenges of rural policing, including vast patrol areas and limited backup, which could ultimately improve both officer wellbeing and public safety outcomes in underserved communities. The research underscores the urgent need for policy makers and law enforcement leadership to address both operational stressors like trauma exposure and organizational pressures such as bureaucratic constraints, particularly as these challenges may have cascading effects on service delivery and community relationships in rural areas.

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